Italian theologian and religious Linda Pocher has confirmed that Pope Francis is in favour of the diaconate of women.
As reported by the Spanish portal "Religion Digital" (Friday), the Pope is "very much in favour of the diaconate for women", according to the Don Bosco sister, who teaches Christology and Mariology in Rome.
The Vatican is currently trying to understand how the diaconate of women can be put into practice.
At the request of Pope Francis, the Italian theologian organised a discussion on the role of women at the most recent meeting of the Council of Cardinals from 5 to 7 February.
One of the participants was the Anglican bishop Jo Bailey Wells, who was invited to present the Anglican Church's experiences with the ordination of women.
Among other things, the meeting focussed on "possible ministries for women in the Catholic Church", but also on "possibilities that are already possible in the Church".
Extending rights to all baptised persons
The bishop described to the cardinals and the Pope how the Church of England came to the decision to allow the ordination of women and how the life of the Church has changed as a result.
Pocher, who had already attended the previous meeting of the Council of Cardinals in December, explained that the head of the Church wanted to rethink and reorganise the relationship between the sacramental priesthood and the priesthood of all the faithful "by extending some rights that until recently were reserved to bishops, priests and religious to all the baptised".
The Council of Cardinals, also known as the K9, is an advisory body to Pope Francis.
It consists of a group of nine cardinals who represent the Church on different continents.
Francis established the council six months after taking office in 2013.
Cardinal Reinhard Marx from Munich was a member of the Council of Cardinals from 2013 to 2023.